Obituary of Sgt. White

WESTFIELD - Sgt. Kevin W. White, US Army, age 22, of Martin Wright Road, Westfield, NY died Monday, May 2, 2011, after being injured in action, while serving with the US Army at COP Honaker-Miracle, Afghanistan. Kevin was born on May 20, 1988 in Westfield, NY the son of Paul L. and Patricia J. (Baer) White of Westfield. A Westfield resident all his life, Kevin was a 2006 graduate of Westfield Academy and Central School. During his youth, Kevin was active in the School Rifle Club, Ski Club, played Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball. He was in several high school plays and sang in the chorus. He enjoyed Turkey hunting, archery, snorkeling, spear fishing and all things Hawaiian. He was an avid Air Soft player. He enjoyed the opportunity to travel and experience new things. Kevin enjoyed an adventure. He liked to work on his car. Kevin's family was the love of his life and his many friends were important to him. Upon graduation from Westfield Academy and Central School, Kevin enlisted in the US Army Infantry and proudly served his country in Germany, Iraq, Hawaii, and Afghanistan. Sgt. Kevin W. White joined the Army 25 July 2006. He did Basic Training at Ft. Benning, GA. His first duty station was at Smith Barracks Baumholder, Germany 1st Armored Division. After his tour of Iraq he was assigned to Schofield Barracks, HI Company D, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He served overseas duty in Germany from Nov. 2006 until Oct. 2009 and during that time he was deployed to Iraq from April 2008 until June 2009. Sgt White had served in Afghanistan since 7 April 2011. His military training and awards include but are not limited to: Air Assault training in 2010 and the Warrior Leader Course for Military Education in 2011 where he made Commandant's list. Sgt. White was Awarded The Bronze Star Medal, Posthumous, The Purple Heart, Posthumous, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (twice), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, (twice), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon,(twice), the NATO Medal, Posthumous, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Combat and Special Skill Badge, Basic Marksmanship Qualifying Badge Bar, Weapon: Rifle-Expert. Sgt. Kevin W. White proudly served his country for 4 Years and 9 Months. Mr. White was a member of First Baptist Church of Westfield He is survived by his parents, Paul L. and Patricia J. (Baer) White, his two brothers: David J. and Stephen J. White all of Westfield, NY, his Maternal Grandparents, James W. and Joan (Bamberg) Baer of Busti, NY, and his Paternal Grandmother, Mary Ann (White) Wheeler and her husband Woodrow of Mayville, NY. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Herbert White. Calling hours will be Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 2-5 & 7-9 PM at The First Baptist Church of Westfield, 9 Kent Street, Westfield, NY. The Funeral Service will be Friday morning at 11:00AM at The First Baptist Church of Westfield, with Rev. Thayne Bodenmiller officiating. Burial with full Military Honors will be private in Westfield Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined and Kevin's family wishes memorials be made to Northlake Family Recreation Center, PO BOX 334, Westfield, NY 14787. For those wishing to sign a community register book, you may do so at the Westfield Village Hall (Eason Hall) 23 Elm Street in Westfield starting Thursday morning. The MASON FUNERAL HOME, 37 Clinton St., Westfield has been entrusted with Funeral arrangements, log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send Sgt. White's family a message of sympathy.